Back in November of 2014, the world lost Industrial/Nu Metal titan Wayne Static who was known as the King of Evil Disco. Wayne was know for having that iconic hair style very reminiscent of Legion of the X-Men. He was also known for his unique vocal delivery style that was infectious to try and imitate. I don’t know why I haven’t covered a single album, but there is a reason I chose the one I did. I could have chosen Wisconsin Death Trip as this week’s album, but Machine was the very first Static-X album that I purchased myself. The album was released on May 22, 2001 and it was produced by Ulrich Wild. The band was made up of Wayne Static (Lead Vocals/Guitars), Tony Campos (Bass), Ken Jay (Drums), Tripp Eisen (Lead Guitar, but never recorded a note for the record), and Koichi Fukuda (Keyboards/Programming). The album was a huge success for the band as it peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top 200 charts making it the highest charted album for the band (Cult Of Static was the second highest).

1. Bien Venidos– Just an intro track of people clapping as some music starts and it leads into the next track. 4/5

2. Get To The Gone– Some insane growling open up this monster of a track that reminds me of the track The Great Southern Trendkill in how it opens. Campos amazing bass playing is present in this track that seems to be about how things have changed since their early days. 5/5

3. Permanence– An industrial dance beat very reminiscent of Ministry opens up this track that talks about how the band hates the current mainstream scene. 4/5

4. Black And White– One of the coolest tracks on the album that just grooves as he talks about how there is no middle ground in life, everything just ends up black and white. 5/5

5. This Is Not– The very first single released off the album that is just a sledgehammer of a track and very in your face as he screams This Is Not!!! I can only assume that he is talking about things can change and you just feel like nothing is the same. 5/5

6. Otsego Undead– The industrial metal dance song that would Al Jourgensen happy in a track that he could be talking about the undead, but then again thic could be about a town in Michigan that Wayne attended college near. 4.5/5

7. Cold– One of my favorite tracks on the album that is very sludgey in nature with the bass and guitar riffs in a track that is associated with vampires and such. 5/5

8. Structural Defect– A supercharged track that talks about someone who is just trying to be themselves in a world where every one forces drugs on to you. 4.5/5

9. …In A Bag– A cool track that is actually about being on a tour bus and not being able to take a shit. Write what you know and experience. 4/5

10. Burn To Burn– a cool track that I think is talking about life and what it gives you may not always work out in your favor. 4/5

11. Machine– The title track on the album opens up with some cool industrial beats that remind me a little of what Fear Factory has done. The vocal approach is definitely different for Wayne on this track as well as it sounds like he whispers the verses. The song could be about their previous guitar player, but I’m not sure. 4/5

12. A Dios Alma Perdida– The last track on the album that starts really slow and sludgy with some sound clips included in this instrumental track. 4/5

My Final Thoughts– This is definitely one of my favorite releases from the band that showed that no sophomore slump existed for them. The album also saw them venture out a little more musically than in the previous album as well. My favorite track on the album is definitely Cold followed by Black And White. My least favorite track on the album would probably be the title track, but that isn’t me condemning the song either. Anyways, I am going to give the album 4.4 stars out of five for a final grade.

Matt Pike, the High On Fire singer/guitarist has gotten himself into the news lately when he sat down for an interview recently with The Void. In the interview, he has some insight into Dave Mustaine and how Metallica would never be Metallica without him saying, “He was an innovative f–king guy for that era. I don’t think Metallica would sound like Metallica without Dave Mustaine. I don’t think a lot of people would be doing ‘jugga-juggas’ if Dave Mustaine hadn’t set that Metallica thing up. I can tell by his playing. I know the songs that Dave f–king wrote in that band, and then you see him and what he does now. And, you know, there’s certain albums that I like better than others, but probably because I was a kid when So Far, So Good… So What! came along. And then nowadays, when I hear it, I’m an older man… It’s still great, but it’s not the one that I had the lust over when I was a metal kid. I never thought I’d be sitting in a room with Dave Mustaine at any given moment in my life.” To read the rest of the interview, go here.

Some sad news to report to all rock fans out there as Keith Emerson was found dead in his due to what police are saying was a single gunshot wound to the head. They are investigating it as an apparent suicide as Keith suffered from depression and degenerative nerve tissue. Keith Emerson was the keyboard player in Emerson, Lake, and Palmer who released the iconic record Brain Salad Surgery back in 1973. He was 71 years old when passed away. Carl Palmer offered some words for his former band member saying:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson.Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.I will always remember his warm smile, good sense of humour, compelling showmanship, and dedication to his musical craft.

I am very lucky to have known him and to have made the music we did, together. Rest in peace, Keith.

One of the coolest things in Metal was knowing that Iron Maiden had their own airline jet called Ed Force One and that they were taking it with them on there 36 country tour. Now reports are coming in that the band has kind of hit a road block on their tour while they were in the country of Chile. Apparently, there engines were struck and damaged at the airport. Here is the full statement from the band:

CONCERTS IN ARGENTINA TOMORROW AND TUESDAY EXPECTED TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNEDEd Force One was this morning tethered to a tow truck to be taken for refueling prior to flying over the Andes to Cordoba for the next show. On moving the steering pin that is part of the mechanism that connects the ground tug to the aircraft seemingly fell out. On making a turn the aircraft had no steering and collided with the ground tug badly damaging the undercarriage, two of the aircrafts engines and injuring two ground tug operators, both of whom have been taken to hospital. We hope of course that they make a full and speedy recovery and we will be closely monitoring their progress. The flight engineers are on site and evaluating the damage, but their initial report is that the engines have suffered large damage and will require an extended period of maintenance and possibly two new engines.We are currently making contingency arrangements to get to the show in Cordoba tomorrow with band, crew and equipment intact. Fortunately the 20 tons of equipment had not been loaded onto EF1 at the time of the accident. Although this is tragic for our beautiful plane we do not expect this to affect our concert schedule including the next 2 shows in Cordoba and Buenos Aires. And we hope to find a new Ed Force One to continue this adventure with us in the near future. We will keep everyone updated when we know more, so keep checking only on this site for official news.To finish on a high note however, our visit to Chile was a huge success with 58,000 fans coming to the show as totally brilliant as ever in the Stadium Nacional last night. We love you guys!

In other news, Devildriver have announced some new details on their brand new album Trust No One which comes out May 13TH. The band announced the track listing for the album and that they have parted ways with bassist Chris Towning as they prepare for their tour. Dez Fafara, the band’s lead singer, talked about the record saying, “Trust No One is a vicious record filled with huge grooves and big hooks, guitar bass assery and thundering drums! Lyrically it goes to a realistic space exploring a ton of different emotion and headspaces regarding being human and what it means to exist. The band worked long hours writing as well as in the studio along with our producer to forge Trust No One! I hope you turn it the f–k up and enjoy this record from start to finish!” To replace Towning, the band brought in former Wayne Static and Static X bassist Diego ‘Ashes’ Ibarra. He will join the band immediately as they prepare for a couple of big tours which includes a headlining one and a direct support spot with Hatebreed. To check out the full dates, go here. Here is the track listing for the new album:

I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news on the internet, but I am shocked to say that Wayne Static of Static-X has passed away at the age of 48. He was born Wayne Richard Wells in Muskegon, Michigan on November 4, 1965 which means he passed away three days before his 49TH birthday from unspecified reasons. He formed industrial metal act Static-X in 1994 after disbanding his previous band and the band went on to record their multi-platinum album Wisconsin Death Trip which was released in 1999 featuring hit songs Push It, Bled For Days, and I’m With Stupid. The band would go on to record five more albums until they disbanded in 2010. Wayne Static would go on to record and release his first and only solo album Pighammer which was released in 2011. He reformed Static-X in 2012, but sadly it was without any of the original members and Wayne would eventually disband the band again in 2013. Wayne was supposed to go back out on the road with Powerman 5000 and Drowning Pool over the next couple of months, but that isn’t happening anymore. R.I.P, Wayne Static (November 4, 1965-November 1, 2014) Check out my favorite Static-X songs below: